Does Miley Cyrus’s new album live up to her hit single?

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Photo courtesy of Instagram @Mileycyrus

Miley Cyrus Endless Summer Vacation album cover

After a seemingly endless wait for new music, Miley Cyrus released her eighth studio album Endless Summer Vacation on March 10. Disney Plus also launched Backyard Sessions with an exclusive look into the new album on the same day.

Cyrus starts her long-awaited album with her single “Flowers,” which she released on Jan. 12. After nearly a decade, “Flowers’’ became her first number one hit for eight consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Avid fans speculate that this single is about her ex-husband, Liam Hemsworth, and is a direct response to Bruno Mars’s single “When I Was Your Man.” This garnered much attention and left fans with high expectations for the upcoming album.

Cyrus used a similar beat and melody in each song on the album which became monotonous. However, of the 13 songs on the album, one of the most noteworthy was “Rose Colored Lenses.” With a catchy rhythm, “Rose Colored Lenses” is a beautiful and upbeat love song that emphasizes her wish to remain unchanged. The song has a slow, yet cheerful melody and features a dream-like outro.

On the flip side, “Thousand Miles” is one of the most insignificant songs on the album. The song features Brandi Carlile and infuses much of Carlile’s folk-style instrumentals, which is not enjoyable. Like most songs on the album, “Thousand Miles” is about the end of a relationship. This theme was far too repetitive and the album needed more diversity regarding topics and melodies.

The songs on the album were each a hit or miss; there is no in between. The album’s name also seems far off from the entire meaning of each song. After going through a divorce and being cheated on, this album reflects a lot of self-love, growth and revenge, which does not give off an “endless summer” vibe. Overall, there is an energetic vibe, but then, randomly, two songs, “Wonder Woman” and “You,” contradict the vibe of the rest of the album with a slower pace and beat.

Cyrus’s stylistic choice to have the opening song on the album as her hit single “Flowers,” and closing the album with “Flowers Demo” was a poetic touch. The first song was upbeat and catchy, while the latter was identical to the first but in a slower, acoustic version. It makes listeners feel like they have gone full circle.

If you’re a Miley Cyrus fan, definitely take a listen. Her songs carry strong messages about self-growth and will boost your mood. “I can buy myself flowers” is one of many lyrics to let people know they don’t need a partner to elevate their self-esteem.